Laboratory work can be time-intensive and demanding; however, as a scientist, researcher, or lab technician, you can enhance your productivity by implementing a few straightforward techniques. In this article, we have outlined the minor adjustments you can make to your everyday routine to optimise your efficiency in the lab, providing additional time for you to focus on the critical aspects of your work.
Schedule Your Work Hours
If you work in a laboratory that is open to others, it’s important to plan your day accordingly to ensure you’re attending the lab at an optimal time. Early mornings, late evenings and weekends are usually the quietest times to visit, allowing you to focus entirely on your work without irritating distractions.
Maintain an Organised Workstation
Maintaining an organised workstation is a key method for enhancing your efficiency in the lab. First, we recommend dedicating time at the end of each day to cleaning your workspace, disposing of any waste, and returning all equipment to its designated spaces. In doing so, you can resume your work the following day without wasting time cleaning the mess from the previous evening.
We also recommend investing time in the maintenance and storage of your laboratory glassware. Laboratory glassware plays a crucial role in most experiments, so it must be correctly maintained to ensure accurate and reliable results. Therefore, cleaning your glassware thoroughly after each use is vital, washing it with soap and water, rinsing it with distilled water, and finally leaving it to air dry. Additionally, we recommend storing frequently used items in accessible locations so you can rest assured that all your laboratory glassware is organised and ready to use when needed.
Go Paperless
Going paperless is beneficial to the environment and aids efficiency in the lab. Rather than heaps of handwritten notes, we suggest adopting an electronic notebook, which allows for quick data imports that can be easily accessed with just a touch of a button. Another time-effective technique is to save your data online. In doing so, you can access your notes from anywhere and effortlessly share research with colleagues, eliminating the need for hard copies or digging through tedious chains of emails.
Record Everything
Although it may disrupt your workflow momentarily, documenting everything related to your experiment will ultimately save you time in the future. We recommend creating thorough protocols that include step-by-step instructions and a list of all chemicals used; even if an unexpected outcome occurs or something goes wrong, take note of it. This invaluable information can prevent you from repeating the same mistakes in the future, leading to increased efficiency in the lab over time.
Take Strategic Breaks
In order to maintain an adequate amount of productivity throughout the day, it’s important to take strategic breaks. Although it may seem like working long hours is the most pragmatic approach, research suggests that your attention span and productivity will decrease over time. To combat this, we recommend taking regular micro-breaks; these breaks don’t need to be lengthy, just long enough to help you feel rejuvenated. Going for a short walk, chatting with a colleague or pouring yourself a cup of coffee can be enough to support your well-being and enhance your efficiency in the lab.
Ken founded Scientific Glass Services in 1978 and has a wealth of experience developing custom-made scientific glassware, working closely with research laboratories, hospitals and universities. Ken and the team make bespoke laboratory glassware to your requirements or repair valuable broken apparatus, each piece being hand-blown from quality borosilicate glass.